On September 13, 2025, National Economics University (NEU) hosted the opening ceremony for the fourth cohort of the full-time joint international bachelor’s program in Finance and Management between NEU and La Trobe University (Australia).

An overview of the opening ceremony for the fourth cohort in Finance and Management, part of the joint international bachelor’s program between NEU and La Trobe University

Representing La Trobe University at the ceremony were Prof. Amalia Di Iorio, Vice President for Educational Partnerships; and Christopher Piwarski, Director of Recruitment for Asia and North America.

External guests included Dr. Nguyen Hai Nam, Standing Member of the National Assembly’s Economic Committee; Dr. Nguyen Quoc Hung, Vice Chair and Secretary General of the Council of the Vietnam Banks Association; Major General Dr. Tran Dinh Thang, Chair of the Military Business Association; Doan Van Thang, in charge of the Members’ Council and General Director of Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC); Dang Dinh Thich, Deputy General Director of VAMC; Pham Tien Duc, General Director of Hanoi Housing Development and Investment Corporation (Handico); Nguyen Duc Thang, Deputy General Director of Handico; Nguyen Anh Trung, General Director of Alpha Securities Joint Stock Company; Nguyen Thanh Son, representative of the Council of the Vietnam Banks Association; Nguyen Huu Bang, Director of Vietcombank Ha Thanh; Nguyen Quoc Hung, Director of Agribank Bac Ninh; Pham Thi Thu Hang, Chief Representative of PGSM Vietnam; Nguyen Thanh Binh, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Prosperity Bank (VPBank); Cat Huy Long, Deputy Director of VietinBank’s Chuong Duong Branch; Thai Thang Long, Director of Vietcombank’s South Hanoi Branch; Duong Thi Anh Tuyet, Chair of the Board of Directors of General Construction, Trading and Import-Export Joint Stock Company; Le Quang Chung, Deputy General Director of Smart Invest Securities Joint Stock Company; Le Minh Duc, Deputy Director of FTMI Institute, UB Group; and Dr. Truong Thi My Nhan, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics. Representing press and television organizations were journalist Nguyen Minh Duc, Editor-in-Chief of Hanoi Moi Newspaper; journalist Nguyen Tien Binh, Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Education Magazine; and representatives of the leadership of news agencies and press organizations.

Representing NEU were Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the University Council; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Huy Nhuong, President of NEU; Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hieu, Vice President of NEU; and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Que, Dean of the School of Banking and Finance. Also attending were members of the Party Committee and University Council; representatives of the leadership of colleges, departments, faculties, schools, institutes, and centers; representatives of sociopolitical organizations; faculty members on the Steering Committee and Executive Board of the joint education program with La Trobe University; lecturers teaching in the program; lecturers from the School of Banking and Finance; students from the first, second, and third cohorts; and, notably, 200 new students in the fourth cohort, together with their families and relatives.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the NEU University Council, delivers remarks

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chair of the NEU University Council, emphasized that the two universities officially launched their joint program in 2022.

Over more than three years, NEU and La Trobe University have fostered a strong partnership built on trust, sharing, and a firm commitment to a common goal: providing Vietnamese students with access to advanced global education that harmoniously combines Australia’s knowledge and modern science and technology with NEU’s academic depth and reputation. The success of the previous three cohorts is clear evidence of these tireless efforts.

Addressing the new students in the fourth cohort of the joint international bachelor’s program between NEU and La Trobe University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho expressed confidence that the coming years would be a memorable period in their lives. Here, they would not only acquire knowledge and develop skills, but also build resilience, nurture aspirations, and broaden their global outlook.

The Chair of the NEU University Council expressed his hope that, after graduation, the students would move forward confidently to become finance and management professionals, business leaders, or startup entrepreneurs with a solid foundation, ready to contribute to the country’s development and international integration.

“Success never comes easily. Thomas Edison once said: ‘My success is 99% sweat and tears and only 1% intelligence.’ Therefore, I hope you will persevere, work hard, and not fear failure, because diligence and persistence are the keys to success,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Duc Tho shared.

Prof. Amalia, Vice President of La Trobe University, delivers remarks

At the ceremony, Prof. Amalia, Vice President for Educational Partnerships at La Trobe University, Australia, shared that since its launch in 2022, the collaboration between NEU and La Trobe University had grown into a special partnership connecting countries, cultures, and academic communities. Its foundation is a belief in education, integrity, and the power of knowledge.

According to Prof. Amalia, one of the key highlights of this collaboration is the joint Bachelor of Business program between La Trobe University and NEU, with majors in Finance and Management. It offers more than a degree: it also provides students with practical experience and the confidence to assume leadership roles in the global business environment through business projects, specialized lectures, and experiential learning activities.

Students in the La Trobe – NEU Program

La Trobe University is one of Australia’s oldest and most reputable public universities and ranks among the top 1% of universities worldwide.

The joint international bachelor’s program between NEU and La Trobe University, Australia, features an advanced curriculum taught entirely in English. Its lecturers are professors, associate professors, and doctoral degree holders from both universities who have trained in advanced countries and have extensive experience. Students also study and participate in activities in a dynamic, friendly environment with modern facilities and equipment for teaching and learning.

Scholarships are awarded to new students with outstanding admissions results, students with outstanding academic achievements, class officers, and active Youth Union members

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Que, Dean of the School of Banking and Finance and Director of the La Trobe – NEU Program, NEU is Vietnam’s leading university in economics, management, and business administration, with a mission to provide high-quality human resources for society as a whole.

NEU places the highest priority on educational quality and has offered numerous international joint programs over the years, all of which have gradually established their standing and demonstrated their quality to the wider public.

La Trobe University, one of Australia’s oldest and most reputable public universities and among the top 1% of universities worldwide, is one of the educational institutions NEU has sought to partner with.

“Through this collaboration between two leading universities in economics, management, and business management education, we hope to provide Vietnam’s economy and society with high-quality human resources in the coming years—outstanding students with a global outlook. They will be able to work not only in Vietnam but also in countries around the world,” emphasized Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hoang Xuan Que.

The Dean of the School of Banking and Finance also noted that, although the joint program between NEU and La Trobe University had only entered its fourth year, it had attracted considerable attention from the public, applicants, and parents. This year, the program received nearly 700 applications. All admitted students have strong academic abilities and English proficiency, with some achieving IELTS scores of 8.0 and 7.5. This provides a highly favorable foundation for students to study and participate in activities in an international environment.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, all students admitted to the program have strong academic abilities and English proficiency, with some achieving IELTS scores of 8.0 and 7.5. This provides a highly favorable foundation for students to study and participate in activities in an international environment. All students receive a 30% scholarship from the program, deducted directly from their tuition fees.

New student Dam Ngoc Lam Anh delivers remarks

Speaking on behalf of the new students in the fourth cohort, Dam Ngoc Lam Anh shared that she had dreamed of studying abroad since childhood. However, global tensions and growing instability had given her and her family additional concerns. The La Trobe – NEU Program offered her a balance between the two options, providing not only an opportunity to deepen her knowledge but also a bridge between her dream and the future she envisioned.

Lam Anh also shared a message with her peers: “I would like to share this quote from Lao Tzu with you: ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.’ This is your time to shine—be bold and take those first steps!”

Vu Thi Ngoc Tram, a second-year student in the La Trobe – NEU Program, said she was drawn to and chose the program because of its advanced curriculum, instruction entirely in English, and highly experienced lecturers from both universities, including professors, associate professors, and PhD holders trained in advanced countries. The program combines up-to-date knowledge from La Trobe University in Australia with practical examples from Vietnam. “Through the program, I gain up-to-date knowledge with an integration-oriented perspective while also applying practical examples and case studies related to Vietnam’s economy,” Ngoc Tram said.

Doan Truong Giang, a third-year student in the La Trobe – NEU Program, shared that the program had given him many new experiences. Giang was particularly impressed by the dedication of the lecturers and the staff of the student support management office, as well as the activities organized for students. “I feel that I have changed a great deal, become more mature, and developed more well-rounded connections with others,” Giang said.

At the opening ceremony, representatives of banks and businesses awarded 44 scholarships totaling VND 200 million to 10 new students with outstanding admissions results; 22 students with outstanding academic achievements; nine class officers and active Youth Union members from the first, second, and third cohorts; and the three most outstanding students from the first, second, and third cohorts.

Business representatives present a symbolic scholarship award to the School of Banking and Finance

Students in the joint international bachelor’s program between National Economics University (NEU) and La Trobe University can study for all three years at NEU or study for two years at NEU and transfer to Australia for one year.

Upon enrollment, students receive accounts and all the benefits of full-time La Trobe University students. While studying at NEU, they can access all of La Trobe University’s data and library resources for their studies and research, with regular guidance from La Trobe University staff in Australia and program staff at NEU.

Representatives of the new students present flowers to express their gratitude to the lecturers

In addition, students enjoy all the benefits of NEU students, including participation in NEU Youth Union and Student Association activities, opportunities for Party membership, participation in clubs, and access to the Library and other facilities serving students at NEU…

If they transfer to Australia for their third year, students can choose from a number of majors other than Finance and Management. After graduation, students are also considered by the Australian Government for a two-year work visa (Working Visa) in Australia.

All students admitted to the La Trobe – NEU Program receive a 30% scholarship from the program, deducted directly from their tuition fees.

Some images from the ceremony:

Article and photos: Department of Communications

News agencies and media outlets reporting on the ceremony:

Nhan Dan: English-Taught Finance and Management Education Opens Opportunities for Students to Access Global Knowledge

Dai Bieu Nhan Dan: NEU and La Trobe University Hold Opening Ceremony for the Fourth Cohort of Their Joint Program

Giao Duc & Thoi Dai: NEU Holds Opening Ceremony for the Fourth Cohort of Its Joint Program with La Trobe University, Australia

Hanoi Moi: National Economics University Holds Opening Ceremony for Its Joint International Bachelor’s Program with La Trobe University

Giao Duc Viet Nam: NEU Holds Opening Ceremony for the Fourth Cohort of Its Joint Program with La Trobe University, Australia

This is an automated translation. If you notice any errors, please contact the Department of Communications, National Economics University at phongtruyenthong@neu.edu.vn.